Energy is the lifeblood of manufacturing, and the potential for energy savings in the industrial sector are huge.[1] The manufacturing sector consumes more than 40% of all energy used in the United States,[2]
and has the largest potential for cost-effective savings.[3] Manufacturing and commercial sectors combine to account for 55% of total energy saved in existing energy efficiency programs.[4]
And the manufacturing sector alone accounts for 40% of the $1.2 trillion in wasted energy that could be saved across all sectors of the economy by 2020.[5] With investments in cost-effective energy efficiency measures,
the manufacturing sector could reduce its $200 billion annual energy bill by 25% by 2020.[6]

In addition to creating massive energy savings, energy efficiency investments are job multipliers. The energy efficiency sector employs 2.2 million people, including 1.4 million construction jobs, and continues to grow.[7]
These are good-paying jobs in manufacturing high-efficiency appliances, installing upgrades, and researching innovative technologies to save businesses money. Because these are jobs that can’t be outsourced, energy efficiency investments help to grow American
jobs and the economy.[8] Every $1 million invested in energy efficient manufacturing creates 20 new jobs.[9]

The Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act will create good manufacturing and construction jobs by authorizing up to $600 million in funding to establish a Financing Energy Efficient Manufacturing Program under the Department
of Energy for energy efficient upgrades for small- and medium-sized manufacturers. Senator Merkley has introduced companion legislation for this bicameral bill.

With the low-cost capital provided by these competitive grants, small- and medium-sized manufacturers can establish and expand programs for energy efficient retrofits, onsite clean and renewable energy generation, combined heat and power facilities to reclaim
and use waste energy, and the development of smart micro-grids to increase resilience. These grants will prioritize funding for domestic projects that will create good jobs, completed with American materials, by employers with good labor practices. We can
use the money and energy saved through these efficiency upgrades to modernize facilities, hire even more new workers, strengthen our energy security, and grow our economy for years to come.

I encourage you to support the Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act. For more information on this bill or to become a cosponsor, please contact Jeremy Marcus (jeremy.marcus@mail.house.gov,
5-5546) in my office.